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A summary of the one hundred and twenty sixth meeting of the
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority on 1 May 2003

On 1 May 2003, the Authority held an extraordinary meeting to discuss the status of the draft Sixth Edition of the HFEA Code Of Practice.

At this meeting, it was decided that the weight of feedback from a March 2003 meeting of Persons Responsible at HFEA licensed centres merited a written consultation on the draft Sixth Edition of the Code.

The process of this consultation was discussed with agreement that it must follow Cabinet Office guidelines and that the focus of the consultation should be on changes that have been made from the Fifth Edition of the Code to the draft Sixth Edition.

The consultation on the draft Sixth Edition of the Code of Practice would open on 18 May 2003 and close on 8 August 2003.

A summary of the one hundred and twenty seventh meeting of the
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority on 15 May 2003

Matter arising from the March meeting

The minutes from the March 2003 Authority meeting were approved with some minor amendments.

Chair's Report

The Chair's letter on the written consultation on the draft Sixth Edition of the HFEA Code Of Practice was reviewed, and it was agreed that emphasis should be placed within this letter on the fact that the HFEA wished to have responses to the consultation backed up - where possible - with evidence.

Following an invitation from the Human Genetics Commission for the HFEA Chair to become an observer on its Working Group on Genetics and Reproduction, the draft terms of reference of the Working Group were reviewed. It was agreed that a short paper should be prepared on HFEA ethical principles to share with the Working Group to facilitate co-operation.

The social and psychological experiences of women involved in egg sharing arrangements was discussed, and it was agreed that a focused study on these issues would be useful to inform current debate.

The Chair also raised the matter of two public meetings to be held by the HFEA in the coming 12 months.

Chief Executive's Report

In anticipation of an accountability review with the Department of Health, the Chief Executive reported that the HFEA was progressing well in key areas. Objectives set for 2002-2003 had been met and additional goals achieved. Targets regarding progress with the objectives for the current year were also being met. In particular, the regulation and inspection functions of the HFEA were being strengthened. The Chief Executive highlighted the considerable improvements in operational management that had been achieved by the HFEA Regulation Department.

Research Licences

A proposal for a dedicated HFEA committee on research was supported, and Members asked for a structure for this new committee to be developed. It was suggested and agreed that the HFEA should organise annual conferences on embryo research that would help to inform relevant stakeholders on the status and development of research projects being carried out in the UK.

Supporting Research With Data

The process for supporting research with anonymised data was considered.  The HFEA Ethics and Law Committee had recommended that the HFEA should be as open as possible within the law with data but it was also agreed that any researcher permitted to use the data should give appropriate acknowledgement to the HFEA.  Although it had been affirmed that anonymised data could legally be provided for research there were concerns that the Data Protection Commission might object where individual's consent for research had not been obtained.

Four HFEA Members agreed to form a working group on this issue which would also require input from the legal adviser, the Director of the HFEA Register Project, and if possible a representative from the Medical Research Council.

Laboratory Standards

The process for agreeing standards for IVF laboratories had been developed in collaboration with the Association of Clinical Embryologists and with reference to various other relevant agencies.  The proposal had been supported by the HFEA Licensing and Regulation Committee and, after review, it was approved by the Authority.

Sex Selection

The Authority discussed the content of its report to Ministers on the sex selection review and decided to seek further clarification on a number of issues from the HFEA Scientific and Clinical Advances Group. Members agreed to review this information at the Authority meeting in June.

Pilot Alert Systems

It was noted that at several conferences this year the HFEA had announced its intention to share details of incidents reported to it.  A new proposed alert system would now be piloted as a learning opportunity for all clinics to raise their awareness of potential incidents and to provide information on what procedures could be put in place to avoid incidents occurring.  It was agreed that both the accuracy of the information contained within the alert and the speed at which it could be circulated were important.  A five working day turnaround was therefore agreed for the pilot and would be kept under review.

Date of the next meeting

The date of the next full Authority meeting is 19 June 2003.

Page last updated: 24 October 2011

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